Precision fermentation · Natural carotenoids

Astaxanthin, Lutein and Lycopene — Produced by Precision Fermentation

EarthHue manufactures fermentation-derived natural carotenoids for food, nutraceutical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulators. Batch-level COA and MSDS, EU/US/Japan/Korea documentation, MOQ 1 kg.

  • COA and MSDS with every batch
  • MOQ 1 kg — samples shipped in 7 days
  • EU · US · Japan · Korea documentation
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Fermentation-derived natural carotenoid powders and oil suspensions
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Core series

Three carotenoids, one fermentation platform

Each series runs on a documented strain under controlled fermentation, then is purified, dried and standardised into a shelf-stable powder or oil suspension.

Fermentation Astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma — EarthHue Asta-Yeast 110

Fermentation Astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma — EarthHue Asta-Yeast 110

Astaxanthin produced by controlled fermentation of the yeast Phaffia rhodozyma, then extracted and standardised into a free-astaxanthin oil suspension. The route removes harvest and seasonality from the supply chain, so assay and hue hold batch after batch and production runs all year. Delivers the same 3S,3′-S active molecule as Haematococcus at a lower cost per kilogram of active, in a grade built for food colouring, feed and nutraceutical formulations.

Astaxanthin (Yeast)Oil Suspension 3%Astaxanthin ≥3.0% (HPLC, 3S,3′-S isomer)
Fermentation Lutein from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous — EarthHue Lute-Ferm 120

Fermentation Lutein from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous — EarthHue Lute-Ferm 120

Lutein produced by controlled fermentation of the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous, then purified and standardised into a free-flowing powder. Unlike marigold lutein, which depends on a crop and a extraction yield, the fermented route gives a stable assay and colour through the year, with no pigment carry-over from the plant matrix. Intended for eye-health and antioxidant nutraceutical positions, water-dispersible colour systems and clean-label formulations.

Lutein (Fermentation)Powder 5%Lutein ≥5.0% (HPLC/UV-Vis, free form)
Fermentation Lycopene from Yarrowia lipolytica — EarthHue Lyco-Ferm 130

Fermentation Lycopene from Yarrowia lipolytica — EarthHue Lyco-Ferm 130

Lycopene produced by controlled fermentation of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, then purified and held in a stabilised oil suspension. The fermentative route delivers a consistent lycopene assay with no dependence on tomato crop quality, and it keeps working through the winter supply window when field extraction tightens. Built for functional beverages, dairy, meat analogues, bakery and nutraceutical applications that need a clean-label red that holds its hue through processing.

Lycopene (Fermentation)Oil Suspension 5%Lycopene ≥5.0% (HPLC)
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What fermentation changes

Fermentation-derived carotenoids, explained in one paragraph

Fermentation-derived carotenoids are colour molecules made by culturing a specific yeast or microalgal strain in a closed bioreactor and then extracting and purifying the pigment. The route removes harvest and seasonal yield from the equation: the same strain and the same fermentation protocol deliver the same assay and the same hue batch after batch, and production runs all year round. For a formulator that means a colour that behaves predictably in the pilot tank and still behaves predictably at ten-tonne scale.

Assay you can plan around

Every lot is assayed by HPLC against a reference standard, and the certificate of analysis travels with the shipment.

Supply independent of the harvest

Closed-tank fermentation decouples your supply from crop failure, weather and seasonality.

A banked strain library

Production strains are genotyped and maintained in-house, so a re-order two years later still matches the original specification.

Source comparison

Astaxanthin: yeast, microalgae or synthetic

Same molecule, three routes. Which one fits your formula comes down to colour target, dosage form and regulatory file — not on the word “natural”.

Yeast (Phaffia rhodozyma)Microalgae (Haematococcus)Synthetic
Production routeClosed fermentationOutdoor cultivation, then extractionChemical synthesis
Typical commercial assay2–5% in oil suspension1–5% in oil suspension10–90% crystalline or ester
Relative cost per kg of activeLowHighLowest
May be declared naturalYesYesNo
Typical useFood colour, feed, nutraceuticalsPremium nutraceutical colourAquafeed, high-strength colouring

Manufacturing

Capacity and quality control, in numbers

1,200+ t/yr
Annual pigment capacity
8
Production lines
30+
QC checkpoints per lot
12%
Revenue reinvested in R&D

How we make it

From strain bank to sealed drum

  1. 1

    Strain selection and banking

    Production strains are genotyped, deposited and maintained in-house so a specification can be reproduced years later.

  2. 2

    Controlled fermentation

    Strains are cultivated in closed stainless-steel bioreactors with monitored pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature.

  3. 3

    Cell harvest and pigment release

    Biomass is harvested and the cell wall broken to release the pigment into a clean, low-solids stream.

  4. 4

    Purification and concentration

    Pigment is purified by membrane and chromatography steps, then concentrated to the target assay.

  5. 5

    Drying, milling and QC release

    Powder or oil suspension is standardised and filled into sealed drums, released only after HPLC, ICP-MS and microbiology pass.

Where our carotenoids end up

Food & Beverage

Beverages, dairy, bakery, confectionery and meat analogues that need clean-label colour.

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Nutraceutical & Dietary Supplement

Capsules, tablets, powders and softgels for eye health, skin, sports nutrition and antioxidant positions.

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Cosmetics & Personal Care

Serums, creams, colour cosmetics and haircare using the oil-dispersible and suspension grades.

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Pharmaceuticals

Excipient-grade colour for film-coated tablets, capsules and topical preparations.

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Documentation that survives a supplier audit

Every shipment ships with a COA and MSDS. Regulatory files, allergen and GMO statements, halal and kosher certification and stability data are available per SKU.

See certifications →
  • HPLC and UV-Vis identity and assay
  • ICP-MS heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg)
  • Microbial limits to USP/EP
  • 40 °C / 75 % RH accelerated stability

Catalogue

Ready-to-use pigment formulations.

Fermentation Astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma — EarthHue Asta-Yeast 110

Astaxanthin (Yeast)Oil Suspension 3%

Fermentation Lutein from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous — EarthHue Lute-Ferm 120

Lutein (Fermentation)Powder 5%

Fermentation Lycopene from Yarrowia lipolytica — EarthHue Lyco-Ferm 130

Lycopene (Fermentation)Oil Suspension 5%

Fungal Fermentation Lycopene from Blakeslea trispora — EarthHue Lyco-Blak 131

Lycopene (Blakeslea)Powder 10%

Fermentation Beta-Carotene from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous — EarthHue Beta-Ferm 140

Beta-Carotene (Fermentation)Powder 10%

Natural Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis — EarthHue Asta-Max 100

Astaxanthin (Haematococcus)Oil Suspension 5%

Natural Curcumin Oil-Dispersible Colorant EarthHue Curcumin 10

CurcuminOil Dispersible

Heat-Stable Microencapsulated Beet Red Natural Colorant EarthHue Beet Red 20

Beet RedMicroencapsulated

Questions formulators ask us first

What is the difference between fermentation astaxanthin and Haematococcus astaxanthin?
Both deliver the same active molecule, 3S,3′-S astaxanthin. The difference is the route and the cost. Yeast astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma is made in closed fermenters, so it is available all year, costs less per kilogram of active and can be tuned to a target assay. Haematococcus pluvialis is cultivated outdoors and harvested, so it costs more per kilogram of active but is the reference grade most buyers name when they want one single well-characterised ingredient. If your specification is a colour target and a price, yeast wins; if it is a published clinical dossier tied to one specific source, algae is the safer reference.
Can you supply a COA and MSDS for every batch?
Yes. Every lot ships with a certificate of analysis covering identity, assay, heavy metals, microbiology and residual solvents, plus an MSDS. Supporting regulatory documentation for EU (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008), United States, Japan and Korea filing is available on request.
What is your minimum order quantity?
One kilogram for standard grades, which is enough to run a complete bench trial including colour matching, stability and a sensory panel. Larger volumes are quoted per application and quantity. Samples of up to five series are free for qualified applicants and ship within seven days.
How stable are these pigments?
Free-form carotenoids are sensitive to light, oxygen and heat. We address that at formulation level with antioxidant systems, opaque packaging and, where the application allows it, oil-dispersible or microencapsulated grades. Every batch carries accelerated stability data at 40 °C and 75 % relative humidity, and our application team will recommend the right grade for your matrix.
Do you supply samples before we commit to a volume?
Yes. Tell us the series, grade and quantity you need for evaluation and we will ship up to five series at 100 g each, free for qualified projects, with tracked international shipping. A technical contact stays on the file for formulation tuning afterwards.
Can you develop a custom fermentation product?
Yes. Custom strain development, assay targets, carriers and encapsulation are all in scope. Our R&D team runs strain selection and fermentation optimisation in-house, with university partners on process development. Share the target colour, application, volume and timeline and we will come back with a feasibility view and a development plan.

Latest Articles

After synthetic dye phase-outs, how should a formulator build a clean-label colorant decision tree?

The fastest defensible sequence is: target shade → matrix conditions → regulatory status → cost-in-use → supplier documentation. For water-based red/pink, first compare beetroot red (E 162) and anthocyanins (E 163); for orange/yellow, compare beta-carotene (E 160a) and curcumin (E 100); for tomato-r

How do you prevent carotenoid color and activity loss from light, heat, and oxygen in foods and supplements?

Carotenoids lose color mainly through light-catalyzed *trans*-to-*cis* isomerization and oxygen-driven oxidation; heat accelerates both pathways. The most practical defenses are selecting a stable delivery form — oil suspensions or beadlets rather than unprotected dry powders — and packaging in opaq

How do I specify a natural carotenoid for formulation: assay, carrier, form and stability?

Start with a closed specification that fixes the active assay as % total carotenoids and the active isomer or ester distribution, names the carrier and physical form, and sets a minimum assay after storage. Commonly available commercial grades include about 2.5% to 10% astaxanthin, 5% to 20% lutein

Send us your specification

Tell us the target colour, application, volume and target market. We come back with a specification sheet, a sample COA and a price — usually within one business day.

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Natural pigment colour references

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